In EXPAND, siponimod also had a meaningful benefit on patients' cognitive processing speed[2]

Findings add to clinical evidence for siponimod in SPMS, an area with a high unmet need for well-tolerated and effective new therapies[3]

Basel, April 20, 2018- Novartis today announced new analyses from the Phase III EXPAND study of oral, once-daily siponimod (BAF312) in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). In pre-specified statistical analyses, treatment with siponimod consistently reduced the risk of confirmed disability progression in SPMS patients, with and without relapses[1]. In addition, new post-hoc analyses using more accurate methods to estimate the treatment effect on disability progression, now substantiate that the risk reduction with siponimod is largely disassociated from relapses. Siponimod also showed a significant benefit on cognitive processing speed, the key cognitive function impacted by MS, which frequently deteriorates in people with the disease[2]. These results are being presented at the 70th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, in Los Angeles, USA, April 21-27, 2018.

As previously reported for the overall study population, treatment with siponimod resulted in a statistically significant risk reduction in disability progression sustained for three- and six-months[4]. The new EXPAND study analyses, using a more advanced model-based approach, show an estimated risk reduction for disability progression, sustained at three-months that ranged from 14-20% compared to placebo (calculated by principal stratum analysis) for non-relapsing patients. For disability sustained at six-months, estimated risk reduction was even greater, spanning from 29-33%. Other complementary statistical approaches[1] assessing the effect of siponimod on disability progression disassociated from relapses showed consistent results.

"Siponimod's beneficial effect on preventing disability progression, independent from its reduction in relapse frequency, demonstrates that patients with secondary progressive MS could benefit from this treatment," said study steering committee member Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, Clinical Research Director and Associate Professor, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. "This is very exciting because many people diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, the most common form of the disease, will ultimately transition to SPMS, where without effective new therapies, they experience gradual worsening of disability despite infrequent relapses."

In pre-specified and post hoc analyses, siponimod's effect on cognitive processing speed was evaluated, as measured by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). SDMT is the only cognitive test with established clinical relevance of change in MS and is widely accepted by patients and physicians[5]. Other tests included the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT, assessing cognitive processing speed) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R, assessing memory)[6],[7]. From baseline to month 24, treatment with siponimod showed a significant benefit on cognitive processing speed, compared to placebo, for all patients (SDMT, p=0.0004), and also in those who had relapses within two years before starting the trial (SDMT p=0.0151; PASAT p=0.0275) and those who did not (SDMT p=0.0099; PASAT not statistically significant)[2]. Treatment with siponimod did not result in significant differences in memory (BVMT-R)[2].

"A decline in the ability to rapidly process information affects more than half of MS patients and is more severe in secondary progressive MS than relapsing-remitting MS. These data show that siponimod could have a meaningful impact on these patients' daily lives," said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head Neuroscience Development, Novartis. "Furthermore, the advanced models used in the new analyses help us to better understand the relationship between relapses and disability and the effect of siponimod on these parameters. We are encouraged by these latest findings, which further solidify the clinical evidence for siponimod as a potential new, much needed treatment option for SPMS."

Novartis has initiated the submission of siponimod for US approval in SPMS in the first half of 2018. Filing for EU approval is planned to follow later in 2018.

About the EXPAND studyThe EXPAND study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study, comparing the efficacy and safety of siponimod versus placebo in people with secondary progressive MS (SPMS)[4],[8]. It is the largest randomized, controlled study in SPMS to date, and included 1,651 people with SPMS from 31 countries[4],[9]. At the time of the study, individuals enrolled in EXPAND had a mean age of 48 years and had been living with MS for approximately 17 years[4]. Patients had received a diagnosis of SPMS, and also demonstrated progression of disability in the two years prior to study[4],[8]. They also had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 3.0 and 6.5 inclusive, with a median score of 6.0, which corresponds to the use of a unilateral walking aid (e.g., a cane or a crutch)[4],[8]. Patients were randomized to receive either 2mg siponimod once-daily or placebo, in a 2:1 ratio[4],[8]. Patients continued on siponimod treatment in the open-label long-term extension part of the study[4].

About siponimod (BAF312) Siponimod is an investigational, selective modulator of specific subtypes of the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor[10]. Siponimod binds to the S1P1 sub-receptor on lymphocytes, which prevents them from entering the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with multiple sclerosis and is believed to contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of siponimod[11],[12].

Siponimod also enters the CNS and binds to the S1P5 sub-receptor on specific cells in the CNS (oligodendrocytes and astrocytes)[13]. By binding to these specific receptors, siponimod has the potential to modulate damaging cell activity and may help to reduce the loss of neurological function associated with SPMS[13]-[15]. The receptor specificity and pharmacokinetic properties of siponimod facilitate treatment initiation, and contribute to its safety and convenience profile[10].

About Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord through inflammation and tissue loss[16]. The evolution of MS results in an increasing loss of both physical (e.g. walking) and cognitive (e.g. memory) function. There are three main types of MS: relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS)[17].

SPMS is characterized by gradual worsening of neurological function over time[18]. This leads to a progressive accumulation of disability, largely disassociated from relapses, which can severely affect patients' abilities to carry out everyday activities[18]. It follows an initial phase of RRMS, which accounts for approximately 85% of all MS diagnoses; almost a quarter of people with RRMS will go on to develop SPMS within 10 years of their initial RRMS diagnosis, rising to more than three-quarters after 30 years[19],[20]. There remains a high unmet need for effective and safe treatments to help delay disability progression and improve cognition in SPMS[3].

MS affects approximately 2.3 million people worldwide[18].

About Novartis in Multiple SclerosisThe Novartis multiple sclerosis (MS) portfolio includes Gilenya® (fingolimod, an S1P modulator), which is indicated for relapsing forms of MS and is also in development for pediatric MS. Extavia® (interferon beta-1b for subcutaneous injection) is approved in the US for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS. In Europe, Extavia is approved to treat people with relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS (SPMS) with active disease and people who have had a single clinical event suggestive of MS.

Investigational compounds include siponimod (BAF312), under investigation in MS, and ofatumumab (OMB157), a fully human monoclonal antibody in development for relapsing MS. Ofatumumab targets CD20, and is currently being investigated in two Phase III pivotal studies.

*Copaxone® is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

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